Offensive line is a question but perhaps only one of major significance … assuming [J.J.] Watt, [Deshaun] Watson, [Whitney] Mercilus et al. bounce back as expected.

The 11th spot makes sense. Injuries ravaged the Texans last season with 24 players ending their season on injured reserve, including three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year in Watt. The rookie sensation under center, Watson, who led the Texans to the best points per game total during his six starts from Weeks 2-8, tore his ACL in practice on Nov. 2. Edge rusher Mercilus tore his pectoral muscle and was for the year in the same game on Oct. 8 versus the Kansas City Chiefs that Watt fractured his tibial plateau in his left leg. Not only did the injuries hit the Texans, but they hit them right in critical areas and took down some big names.

Houston also addressed their weak point, the offensive line, the best they could without a first or second round pick. New general manager Brian Gaine used one of the team’s two third-round picks to take tackle Martinas Rankin from Mississippi State after signing free agents Senio Kelemete, Zach Fulton, and Seantrel Henderson in March.

Sustained health is also beneficial to Watson’s weapons. Receiver Will Fuller played 10 games last season and caught 28 passes for 423 yards and seven touchdowns. In the four games he played with Watson, the 2016 first-round pick caught 13 passes for 279 yards and seven touchdowns. Adjusted for a 16-game season, that is 52 catches for 1,116 yards and 28 touchdowns. While the last number may be unreasonable, the first two are not, and that is what Fuller can do if he is healthy and Watson is healthy.

The fan rankings had the Texans swapping 11th place with the 12th place Tennessee Titans. Nonetheless, the consensus is Houston is one of the top-12 teams in the league come Week 1.

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